Thursday, August 29, 2013

Birthday Week...Labor Day Weekend

Thirty+plus years ago, when I was still in grade school, an "August" birthday was considered a "Summer" birthday. Meaning, school wouldn't start for several more weeks...and always after Labor Day...thus allowing summer-themed birthday parties with girlfriends.

Earlier this week, I celebrated my 44th birthday.

Me and Blessed Teresa of Calcutta. (Oh, how happy it makes my heart to know that one of my most favorite (future) saints shares the same birthday as me!!!)

Now, for the past several years (decade really), my birthday is celebrated "during school".

Mary Catherine's Catholic School Planner

Students begin using these in the 3rd Grade.

She's been waiting for this year!!!

This year, we celebrated "quietly" with just the children at home.

A gift card to Bath & Body Works (aromatherapy, hello!)...bath fizzies from LUSH...and a gift certificate to Par Exsalonce Salon & Day Spa for a body massage rounded out gifts from my husband and children.

BUT, one sweet, precocious 4-year old kindergartner didn't let the day pass by without recognizing my birthday!!!

Irene turned 4 on the 4th of July and is quite the little firecracker! She is in Benjamin's combined K-1st Grade class. She is fluent in English and Russian (Russian being the primary language spoken in the home) and speaks a little bit of Spanish and French. She attends "Russian School" on Saturday mornings.

This bucket of treats was hand delivered to me in the office by mom. Basically, it tastes like a little bit of heaven! :) The easiest way to describe it is to say that it reminds me of coffee cake. It is a generations-old Russian family recipe and even the raspberry jam is made from scratch! It was delicious and even my picky children loved it!

It was very moving to receive this gift. Mom is young, and trying so very hard to show her gratitude for allowing Irene to be enrolled in kindergarten. (Public school refused to allow her entry due to her age. She is VERY young, but very capable.)

This gift of food was so touching. It transported me back into time...when I would visit my grandparents in Detroit and go with my Grandma to the Polish or Croatian bakeries to pick up coffee cakes for breakfast. When I shared with Irene's mom that I was 100% Polish-American her eyes lit up. You could tell we formed an immediate bond. Something about being central/eastern European... ;)

Russian Coffeecake

This week has been a busy one...birthdays...boy scouts...dance...Open House at school...

Happy birthday to you, young lady!! We need to form the 1969 club...me, you, Billie Jo, who else? May God bless you abundantly this next year! And, my word! That Russian coffee cake looks incredible :)

1 Thessalonians 4: 11-12

"MAKE IT YOUR AMBITION TO LEAD A QUIET LIFE, TO MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS AND TO WORK WITH YOUR HANDS, JUST AS WE TOLD YOU, SO THAT YOUR DAILY LIFE MAY WIN THE RESPECT OF OUTSIDERS AND SO THAT YOU WILL NOT BE DEPENDENT ON ANYBODY."

About Me

Welcome! I'm glad you're here. My name is Valerie. I am a 40-something Catholic mom to three precious kiddos (Mary, Ben, and Luke) and classroom teacher to 23 adorable 3rd and 4th Graders at St. Paul Catholic School. I just completed my first year of full-time employment after taking a 5-year break from teaching. I love my early-morning quiet times with the Lord, sneaking into the Adoration chapel after 3:15 dismissal and incorporating Catholicism into reading, math, science and social studies. I enjoy hot tea, a strong cup of coffee and the occasional glass of red wine! It could be said that I am gently old-fashioned…lover of children's classic literature, wrap-around porches, and handmade quilts. I prefer sundresses to shorts. I love making my house a home to honor the Lord. I am abundantly blessed.